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Our History
Bethesda (Bedok-Tampines) Church (BBTC) is an open brethren assembly, a church plant of Bethesda Katong Church (BKC).
Our ministry roots dates back to Dec 1979, when a group of young leaders from BKC, committed to the Great Commission began
an outreach ministry amongst the Youth Church in the Bedok-Tampines vicinity. When the Lord provided an ideal piece of land for a
new church, Bethesda Katong launched by faith the project to plant a new church at this site. Other Brethren assemblies that
came alongside BKC for this project were Bethesda (Frankel Estate) Church (BFEC) and Bethesda Bedok Mission Home
(now Bethesda Pasir Ris Mission Church).
BBTC was registered as a legal entity on 8 August 1984. Our inaugural communion and worship service was held on 2 Nov 1986.
The beloved late Dr Benjamin Chew was our first Chairman Elder of the Council. After 2 years, in Nov 1988, Bethesda Katong
gave complete autonomy and the BBTC Council became an independent assembly of believers.
Our Practice & Distinctive
1. Our Governance & Local Autonomy -
a) Christ is the Head of BBTC and hence all activities are subject to the Lordship of Christ, and Christ's sacrificial love
is the model for Christian's leadership and lifestyle.
b) Holy Scripture is the sole and final authority for faith and practice.
c) Local assembly of believers constitutes the body of Christ at BBTC. Christ's delegated authority in this local assembly
lies with a governing Council consisting of Elders and Deacons. The body of Elders are selected by unanimous consensus
amongst themselves and they appoint Deacons, both of which are selected according to biblical principles.
c) Pastoral staff are full-time staff serving as Shepherds in ministry alongside the Council and lay ministry leaders.
2. Priesthood of all Believers: all true believers have the same standing as Royal Priesthood (1 Peter 2:9) before God.
There is opportunity for all in the exercise of spiritual gifts, for building up the believers, glorifying God and
preaching the Gospel of God's good news of salvation available to all people. (Eph 4:11-13)
3. Simplicity of worship: conducted under guidance of Holy Spirit with minimal liturgical practices, with only 2 sacraments
practiced as mandated by Scriptures:
a) Believer's Baptism, by immersion (as far as practicable) upon personal confession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and
b) Lord's Supper or Holy Communion - the remembrance of the Lord's sacrificial death on the cross in the breaking of bread &
drinking of wine on the first day of the week, in so far as circumstances permit.
4. Fellowship of saints: we receive to the Lord's table all baptised believers who are also godly in life.
5. Priority of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) is held as an important mandate for BBTC and we seek
sensitive expression in any and every form as led by the Holy Spirit.
Our Belief
We believe that the Bible is the written, inspired Word of God, the only infallible, and authoritative, Word of God.
It is the only standard for faith and practice.
We believe there is only one God, eternally existent in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ (God the Son), in His virgin birth, sinless life, and miracles;
in His vicarious and atoning death, His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father,
in His appearing for the rapture of the saints, both living and dead, and in His personal, future return to this earth
in power and glory to rule a thousand years.
We believe in the Blessed Hope - the rapture of the saints at Christ's coming.
We believe the only means of being saved and cleansed from sin is through repentance and faith in the precious Blood of Jesus Christ,
and in His death on the cross.
We believe spiritual regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential for personal salvation; and in the sanctifying
power of the Holy Spirit enabling the Christian to live a holy life; and in the fullness of all spiritual gifts given
as God wills.
We believe in the resurrection of the saved and the lost, the one to everlasting life, and the other to everlasting damnation.
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